Daniel 7:14 Meaning: The Kingdom That Will Not Be Destroyed
Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
And to him is given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, and all peoples, nations, and languages do serve him, his dominion is a dominion age-during, that passeth not away, and his kingdom that which is not destroyed.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
Meaning in one sentence
Daniel 7:14 describes the Son of Man receiving an everlasting kingdom. Discover how this vision points to Christ's universal reign that will never end.
Context
Daniel 7 is one of the most powerful visions in the Old Testament. Daniel sees four great beasts rising from the sea, representing four empires that will rule the earth. Then the scene shifts. Thrones are set up, and the Ancient of Days takes His seat in judgment. The fourth beast is destroyed. Then, in the night visions, Daniel sees one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. This figure approaches the Ancient of Days and is brought near. In verse 14, the climax comes: dominion, glory, and a kingdom are given to this Son of Man. Every people, nation, and language will serve Him. His kingdom will never pass away or be destroyed.
Key Words
The verse opens with a passive verb in Aramaic: yehiv, “it was given.” Nobody seized power. Nobody earned it. The Son of Man received it from the Ancient of Days. That is important for us. The kingdom we belong to is a gift, not something we accomplish on our own.
The word for dominion is sholtan. It carries the sense of ruling authority, the power to govern. This word appears earlier in Daniel for the authority given to Nebuchadnezzar and other kings. But here it is given to the Son of Man, and it is described as alam, a perpetuity, forever, without end. No earthly ruler can say that about his reign.
The verb for serve is pelach. In this context it means to pay reverence, to serve in worship. The same word is used in Daniel for serving God. So what is described here is not forced submission but willing devotion from every people group. The nations do not simply bow out of fear; they honor the King with their lives.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this verse as a clear prophecy of Jesus Christ. The New Testament writers echo it: Jesus called Himself the Son of Man, and after His resurrection He said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Many early church fathers read this vision as the ascension of Christ to the Father’s right hand to receive the kingdom.
Some interpreters, including a few Jewish commentators, have understood the “one like a son of man” as a symbol for the people of Israel receiving dominion after their oppressors fall. Both readings take the vision seriously. But for Christians, the connection to Jesus is central. He is the one who came with the clouds, received the kingdom, and now reigns until every enemy is under His feet.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that “serve him” means God forces people into submission against their will. In fact, the Aramaic word pelach can mean to serve, worship, or pay reverence. The picture is not of reluctant slaves but of people from every nation gladly honoring the King. The kingdom is universal, but the response it invites is willing, not coerced.
Living This Out
You live in a world where kingdoms rise and fall. Governments shift, institutions crumble, and even the strongest leaders eventually lose their power. This verse invites you to anchor your hope in something that never changes. Jesus Christ has received an eternal kingdom, and He holds it still.
This week, when news headlines feel overwhelming, remind yourself: one dominion will not pass away. One kingdom will not be destroyed. You can pray with confidence, serve with freedom, and live without fear, because your King is the one who was given all authority from the Ancient of Days. The outcome of history is already secure.
Main takeaway: Jesus Christ was given an everlasting kingdom that will never pass away, and every nation will worship Him as King.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God gave Jesus a kingdom that will never end. No one can break it or take it away. You can always trust King Jesus.
For ages 9, 12
In Daniel’s vision, he saw someone like a son of man coming to God the Father. God gave him power over all people and nations. This is Jesus. His kingdom is not like the empires of history that fell apart. Jesus’ kingdom lasts forever. That means when you follow Him, you belong to something that will never be destroyed. No matter what happens in the world, you are safe in His hands.
Questions People Ask
Who is the 'one like a son of man' in Daniel 7:14?
Christians have understood this figure to be the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament often quotes or alludes to this verse, showing that Jesus is the Son of Man who received all authority from the Father. Some Jewish interpreters have seen the figure as a symbol for the people of Israel, but the Christian reading connects it directly to Jesus.
What does 'dominion was given him' mean?
The Aramaic verb is passive: the Son of Man received dominion from the Ancient of Days, not by seizing it. This pictures God the Father granting all authority to the Son. In the Gospels, Jesus says after His resurrection that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18), echoing this verse.
Is the kingdom in Daniel 7:14 present now or still future?
Christians see this kingdom as both present and future. Jesus already reigns at the right hand of God, and the Church is the beginning of His kingdom. But the full manifestation of that kingdom, when all nations openly serve Him and every enemy is defeated, will come at the end of history. The verse emphasizes that it will never be destroyed.
Does 'serve him' mean worship, or just political submission?
How does Daniel 7:14 connect to Jesus' second coming?
Jesus referenced this verse when He said that the Son of Man would come on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30, 26:64). The vision of Daniel shows the Son of Man coming to the Ancient of Days to receive the kingdom. Christians believe this was fulfilled in Jesus' ascension and will be fully revealed when He returns in glory.
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